Mornings with Brian Haldane

Congressman Troy Carter honored the memory of Pam Fortner, co-creator of the iconic New Orleans Hand Grenade cocktail. Carter reflected on her impact on local culture and shared how he promotes Louisiana's heritage in Washington, D.C. The discussion also covered Hyundai Steel’s $5.8 billion manufacturing investment in Donaldsonville, boosted by the Inflation Reduction Act. Carter emphasized the im...

In a recent interview on Talk 107.3, District 1 School Board candidate Megan Garretson outlined her plan to address key educational challenges in East Baton Rouge. Drawing from 15 years as an early childhood educator and business owner, she highlighted the critical need to improve kindergarten readiness, noting that nearly 70% of local students currently enter school unprepared. Garretson emphasiz...

Civic leaders in Baton Rouge are advancing Plan Baton Rouge 3 to connect LSU, downtown, and surrounding natural spaces into a unified, vibrant corridor. The proposal outlines a new sports and entertainment arena alongside a transformed River Center featuring a major hotel and upgraded convention space. Enhanced transit options, such as light rail or streetcars along Nicholson Drive, aim to improve...

In this discussion, Brian Haldane and political commentator Jeff Crouere analyze the political dynamics leading into the upcoming midterm elections. They examine the Republican strategy of using a Trump-centered convention to energize the conservative base against competitive opposition turnout. The conversation highlights how rising inflation, high gas prices, and economic strain remain the top p...

Acclaimed actor and director Eriq La Salle has released Laws of Solomon , an intense yet deeply emotional thriller that functions as both a standalone story and the fourth installment in his Martyr Maker series. The narrative centers on a reformed hitman forced out of a peaceful retirement to defend a young boy from a ruthless cartel, sparking an unexpected journey toward redemption. La Salle purp...

This broadcast discussion covers early-season SEC college football dynamics, evaluating LSU’s performance and Sam Leavitt’s ongoing offensive integration following injury recovery. The conversation transitions into national political debates, criticizing federal debt expansion and direct voter payout proposals in favor of conservative tax cuts. Local election coverage examines delayed campaign spe...

Renowned city planner Butch Spyridon is consulting on the major redevelopment of the Raising Cane's River Center to revitalise downtown Baton Rouge. By aligning local leadership and establishing clear project priorities, the initiative seeks to turn long-delayed proposals into concrete progress. Proposed plans include replacing the current arena with a 350- to 400-room flagship hotel and expanding...

FMOL Health leads the nation in adopting IntelliSep, an FDA-approved diagnostic tool that detects sepsis from white blood cells within ten minutes. By shifting focus from reactive organ failure treatment to early cellular identification, emergency care teams shave up to 70 minutes off critical response times. This rapid process allows clinicians to fast-track high-risk patients directly out of wai...

Chef and proprietor Jonathan Reynolds of Rougarou Capital Bodega joins Brian Haldane for Foodie Friday to showcase his unique Cajun-Mexican fusion menu. Reynolds discusses the new Spanish Town restaurant, his creative approach to cooking, and signature dishes including gumbo birria tacos, boudin pastor bombs and the popular gumbo smash burger.

Anna Johnson with the Louisiana Department of Energy and Conservation joins Brian Haldane to discuss the state’s review of groundwater regulations, including concerns surrounding increased demand from data centers and industrial projects. Johnson also provides an update on carbon capture and storage applications and explains Louisiana’s ongoing effort to compete for a nuclear innovation lifecycle...

Patrick Gremillion, host of The Patty G Show, joins Brian Haldane to discuss Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery program in Baton Rouge. They explore how the technology works, residents’ concerns about noise and airspace, the role of FAA regulations, and whether drone delivery could eventually expand to other retailers and restaurants. They also wrap up the conversation with a taste test of two new...

Richard Nelson, president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, joins Brian Haldane to discuss how Louisiana’s community and technical colleges are preparing for a surge in workforce demand. Nelson highlights new training partnerships with major employers, the growing need for skilled trades, and the importance of expanding access to career-focused education. He also addresses t...

Kyrin Minor, director of marketing and partner integration for Guaranty Health Solutions, joins Brian Haldane to discuss why organizational culture must be built intentionally. They explore how workplace culture affects employees, communication, operations and ultimately the patient experience. Minor explains Guaranty Health Solutions’ focus on aligning people, processes and patients, the importan...

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain discussed key agricultural updates, highlighting the ongoing effort to manage invasive species like carp in local waterways. He shared optimistic projections for National Rice Month and the upcoming crawfish season, pointing to successful crop rotations across hundreds of thousands of flooded acres. The discussion addressed economic pressures on l...

During National Suicide Prevention Month, iCARE specialist Pete Jory discusses crucial strategies for supporting youth mental health across East Baton Rouge Parish schools. The conversation addresses rising suicide rates among young minority populations and examines underlying risk factors like adverse childhood experiences and trauma. Key warning signs include sudden social withdrawal, shifts in...

The high-profile standoff between LSU and the SEC over roster eligibility rules has reached a tense de-escalation, officially removing the threat of LSU's expulsion from the conference. The conflict erupted when LSU attempted to leave roster spots open for players coming out of NFL training camps, prompting the SEC to take aggressive legal action to defend its regulatory authority. This confrontat...

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, former FBI Special Agent Brad Garrett shares his personal experience working in the Washington Field Office during the emergency response. He details the initial chaos and air traffic uncertainty following the strikes on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The discussion highlights how the attacks permanently reshaped American military strategy toward non-stat...

The Republican Party hosted a historic midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, aimed at energizing voters and framing the upcoming elections as critical to the conservative movement. RNC Representative Ally Triolo outlined how retaining legislative majorities in the House and Senate remains essential for policy implementation. The event featured economic discussions, policy reviews, and tributes to f...

Tommy Faucheux of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association discusses how a new Venezuelan oil deal could benefit Louisiana’s refineries, ports and energy workforce. He highlights the state’s refining capacity, the need for continued infrastructure investment and the potential for predictable oil supplies to support future jobs. Faucheux also discusses Louisiana’s broader economic develo...

Michael Vincent, a candidate for the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board’s District 7 seat, joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to discuss his background in education and his priorities for the district. Vincent outlines his focus on student achievement, teacher recruitment and retention, school safety and fiscal accountability. He also discusses improving school facilities, supporting STEM and spe...

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to discuss the escalating legal battle between LSU and the SEC, including athlete eligibility, the SEC’s federal lawsuit, and the potential financial impact on schools and student-athletes. Murrill explains why she believes the dispute goes beyond LSU and raises broader questions about conference authority and changing colleg...

Whitney Hoffman Sayal, executive director of Baton Rouge’s Downtown Development District, joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to discuss the future of downtown Baton Rouge. She explores residential growth, the challenges facing downtown retail, incentives for new housing and redevelopment, historic tax credits, and the potential economic impact of riverfront improvements. Hoffman Sayal also highligh...

Attorney Franz Borghardt joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to break down two major Louisiana legal stories. Franz examines the escalating dispute between LSU and the SEC, including athlete eligibility, NIL and revenue sharing, potential damages, and the legal consequences facing the conference. He also discusses the controversial 90-day sentence given to former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts followi...

Hannah Amoroso, a candidate for East Baton Rouge Parish School Board District 7, joins Brian Haldane to discuss her campaign and priorities for local education. Amoroso talks about expanding early childhood education, improving literacy, recruiting and retaining teachers and addressing school transportation challenges. She also shares her experience as a first-time candidate and what she has heard...

Kelly Schulz of New Orleans & Company and Sig Greenebaum, co-founder of NOLA x NOLA, join Brian Haldane to discuss New Orleans’ booming food, music and tourism industries. Schulz highlights the city’s recognition as a top foodie destination and a strong convention calendar, while Greenebaum explains how NOLA x NOLA grew from a post-pandemic idea into an annual celebration featuring hundreds of...